Wednesday, July 18, 2012

SIGOURNEY WEAVER


Say her name and I picture her in her white bikini undies -- what a powerful ad that was, promoting the not great, but fascinating movie "Alien."

Sigourney Weaver was most interesting to me in 'Working Girl," as the knowing, sophisticated boss who underestimates the talents, intuition and sex appeal of her assistant, wonderfully played by Melanie Griffith.
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I was rooting for Melanie but I loved the boss, Signourney.

And I loved Sigourney opposite Mel Gibson in "The Year of Living Dangerously." I have seen that movie at least twice. And, of course, I remember her playing in "Gorillas in the Mist," in "Ghostbusters," and quite a few other films.

Even so, my sense of Weaver is as a down-to-earth, un-snobbish, friendly, accessible, typical "gal" -- that's the Sigourney I think I know.

I don't know her personally, but John met her when her husband to-be, Jim Simpson, was doing his first directing project. What amazed me, when John described the couple, was that Sigourney, despite her rising status as a star, was at every rehearsal just as a wife, encouraging him.

I didn't pay a great deal of attention to other "Aliens" films, or the fact that she's TV royalty -- daughter of television executive and television pioneer Sylvester "Pat" Weaver, who ran NBC. Apparently, daughter Signourney pursued her career on her own -- did all the apprenticing, studying, auditioning -- was hired because of her talent, and the look of her. She's not super beautiful, but rather average, fresh-faced, good-looking, and tall -- really very tall.

And I don't pay a great attention to her many Oscar nominations or the awards she's won. I just like her in whatever she plays -- small or large roles, villain or heroine. I like the women she plays, and it doesn't seem like "playing" -- it seem as if it's her.

She's starring in a new USA mini series, "Political Animals," about a Secretary of State married to a popular, womanizing ex-president. Though the ads and reviewers say it's the Hillary Clinton story, the womanly Sigourney makes the character her own, and doesn't distract or confuse my feelings about the amazing Hillary.

That's what's special about Weaver -- she is always herself, centered, never borrowing from other women, or selling us typical attitudes toward love, romance, or morality. Watching Sigourney, you meet the real woman.

Will this mini series be a hit? I hope it will be -- success breeds more success -- moves, TV, Broadway shows. Sigourney Weaver is growing, expanding, becoming more and more interesting.

Remember this scene from "Alien?"


Here's a clip from"Political Animals."

5 comments:

Maureen Jacobs said...

Ha ha ha. Hubby and I were just discussing her look from "alien" and I asked him if he found her sexy back then. Looking at her now, she has come a long way.

I have always thought she portrayed each of her characters well. Loved her in Dave. Thought she was superb in Working Girl. Enjoyed the funny yet femme fatale in Ghostbusters.

She is really in her element and it seems to come easily to her. She seems to take on her roles with such grace and spot performance, that I enjoy whatever she is in.

My other fave, Susan Sarandon, would be another blog for you to embrace.

Anonymous said...

Sigourny Weaver had me at Aliens! I loved that movie. And Ghost Busters. I love SciFi and Fantasy. Not so much politics. (too close to real life)
I'm sure she'll do a great job in her new show and wish the writers, cast and crew a long and happy run.
Louise Sorensen
louise3anne twitter

Anonymous said...

I adore Sigourney Weaver! She is a beautiful woman actress with everything it takes to be successful at everything she does-either TV or films. I have seen all her movies and your clip from ?Alien made me jump! Thanks for talking about her today-loved it! kam

Unknown said...

I can only mirror what you say about her. I have always loved her as an actress and the few times that I have seen her on talk shows, I loved her for her charm and her earthiness.

"Working Girl" is one of my all time favorite movies. I have seen it more times than I can count. Her performance was amazing. You just want to hate her so much because she truly was that woman, so totally believable. But, she really was Sigourney Weaver and not that character.

She is truly a fabulous actress.

Carola said...

I can't bear to watch the Alien movies, but I really like Sigorney Weaver. I wish I could watch Political Animals but I go to bed before it comes on and we don't have a DVR.